• The Andover, Massachusetts-based medtech giant wants to adapt Batdok for telemedicine uses. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Dive Insight

The technology leverages wireless sensors to notify medics or other care providers whenever the wearer’s condition changes, such as with heart rate or other vital signs.

Kirk Hendler, Philip’s vice president of business development for government solutions in an interview with reporters said that Philips would utilize Batdok to improve patient monitoring by combining exceptional mobility, user experience, and reliability"This all-in-one mobile solution will enhance care delivery by bringing critical data to decision makers," he added.

The military can be a good testing ground for new medical technologies because of the ability to control study populations and monitor results. In 2015, the Defense Department formed a consortium with more than 160 companies, nonprofits and universities to develop flexible hybrid electronics, including wearable health-monitoring devices for soldiers in the field.

The next step for remote monitoring is smaller, less-intrusive devices that are also easy to use and reliable. A recent Rock Health report found that 90% of Americans use digital health tools, but a notable share of those owning wearables stopped using them because they were weren't effective in helping them meet personal goals.

According to one study published earlier this year, remote patient monitoring had no statistically significant impact on six reported outcomes: body mass index, weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. For the best results, RPM should be tied to health behavior models and personalized coaching, the researchers said.

Still, the push toward population health and less costly care delivery models will keep remote monitoring and technologies like it in the forefront of healthcare R&D efforts. Tools that allow doctors to keep track of their patients' progress, seamlessly relay reliable data and are easy for patients to use could help improve outcomes while driving down costs.